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The short answer: Rice Krispie treats take 3 ingredients and about 15 minutes of hands-on time. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter over low heat, stir in a 10-ounce bag of marshmallows until smooth, fold in 6 cups of crisp rice cereal, then press it lightly into a buttered 13-by-9-inch pan and let it set for 30 minutes. The secrets to soft bars are low heat and a light hand when you press.
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Below are the classic and extra-gooey ratios, a step-by-step method, fixes for hard treats, Christmas versions and storage.
They're one of the easiest treats to make with the whole family pitching in, which is my favorite way to spend time in the kitchen.
Rice Krispie treats ratios
| Ingredient | Classic | Extra gooey |
|---|---|---|
| Butter | 3 tablespoons | 6 tablespoons |
| Marshmallows | 10 ounces (about 40 regular or 4 cups mini) | 16 ounces, plus 1 cup mini stirred in at the end |
| Crisp rice cereal | 6 cups | 6 cups |
| Vanilla extract | Optional | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | Optional | ¼ teaspoon |
| Texture | Chewy, holds clean squares | Soft, stretchy, bakery-style |
Brown the butter first for a nutty, caramel flavor in either version.
How to make Rice Krispie treats, step by step
- Prep the pan. Butter a 13-by-9-inch pan or line it with parchment.
- Melt the butter. Melt it in a large pot over low heat. For brown butter, keep cooking until it smells nutty and turns golden.
- Melt the marshmallows. Add them and stir constantly over low heat until just smooth. Take the pot off the heat right away.
- Flavor it. Stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Fold in the cereal. Add the cereal and fold until every piece is coated. For the gooey version, fold in the extra mini marshmallows now.
- Press lightly. Tip it into the pan and press it gently with buttered hands or a buttered spatula. Don't pack it down.
- Set and cut. Let it cool for 30 minutes to an hour, then cut it into squares with a buttered knife.
Melted marshmallow is very hot and sticky. The National Fire Protection Association's cooking safety tips recommend staying in the kitchen while anything is on the stove, so let kids help with the pressing and decorating once the pot is off the heat.
Why Rice Krispie treats turn hard, and how to fix it
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hard, crunchy bars | Marshmallows overheated | Melt on low and stop as soon as it's smooth |
| Dense, tough squares | Packed too firmly | Press lightly; leave some air |
| Dry, not gooey | Too little marshmallow or butter | Use the extra-gooey ratio |
| Stale by day two | Not airtight | Wrap or seal them as soon as they cool |
| Stuck to everything | Dry hands or tools | Butter your hands, spatula and knife |
Christmas Rice Krispie treats ideas
- Sprinkle squares: fold ½ cup of red and green sprinkles in with the cereal.
- Wreaths: tint the marshmallows green with gel coloring, shape small rings and add red candies for berries.
- Cut-out shapes: press into a sheet pan, cool and cut trees, stars or snowmen with cookie cutters.
- Peppermint bark treats: dip the edges in melted white chocolate and crushed candy canes.
- Gingerbread treats: add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of ginger with the vanilla.
- Hot cocoa treats: stir 2 tablespoons of cocoa into the melted marshmallows and top with mini marshmallows.
Check labels if you're sharing with a crowd. The FDA's food allergy overview lists milk among the major allergens, and some sprinkles and candies contain others.
Serve them at a Christmas pajama party or next to a hot cocoa bar, or add them to your list of Christmas desserts.
Storing Rice Krispie treats
| Where | How long | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature, airtight | 2 to 3 days | Wax paper between layers |
| Individually wrapped | 2 to 3 days | Best for bake sales and lunch boxes |
| Freezer | Up to 6 weeks | Thaw at room temperature for 15 minutes |
| Refrigerator | Not recommended | Cold makes them hard |
Plan your party treats
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- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Save your favorite Rice Krispie treats ratio and your Christmas variations.
- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). The meal planner plus the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, a cleaning schedule and savings trackers.
Browse all our Printables and the Holiday shop. The free Holiday Budget Starter Kit is 3 US Letter pages, emailed to you after you join the list.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you make Rice Krispie treats? To make Rice Krispie treats, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over low heat, stir in 10 ounces of marshmallows until smooth, then fold in 6 cups of crisp rice cereal. Press it gently into a buttered 13-by-9-inch pan and cool for 30 minutes before cutting.
Why are my Rice Krispie treats hard? Rice Krispie treats turn hard when the marshmallows cook too long or too hot, or when the mixture is pressed too firmly into the pan. Melt on low heat, take the pot off as soon as it's smooth, and press lightly with buttered hands.
How do you keep Rice Krispie treats soft? Keep Rice Krispie treats soft by using more marshmallows and butter, melting on low heat and storing them airtight at room temperature. Don't refrigerate them, because the cold makes them firm and stale faster.
Can you use mini marshmallows for Rice Krispie treats? Yes, you can use mini marshmallows for Rice Krispie treats, and 4 cups of mini marshmallows equals one 10-ounce bag of regular marshmallows. Minis melt a little faster, and you can stir in an extra cup at the end for gooey pockets.
How long do Rice Krispie treats last? Rice Krispie treats last 2 to 3 days at room temperature in an airtight container, with wax paper between layers. Frozen in an airtight container, they keep for up to 6 weeks.
How many Rice Krispie treats does a 13-by-9 pan make? A 13-by-9-inch pan makes 24 squares about 2 inches across, or 12 larger bars. A 9-by-9-inch pan of the same recipe makes thicker squares.
How do you make Christmas Rice Krispie treats? Make Christmas Rice Krispie treats by stirring red and green sprinkles into the cereal, tinting the marshmallows green for wreaths or cutting the cooled slab with cookie cutters. Dip the edges in melted white chocolate and crushed candy canes for a festive finish.
How can I plan Rice Krispie treats for a party or bake sale? You can plan Rice Krispie treats for a party or bake sale with the Meal Planner & Grocery List from HomeBase Paper Co. ($3.99), which puts the butter, marshmallows and cereal on one shopping list with the rest of your party food. Save your favorite Rice Krispie treats ratio in the Family Recipe Binder ($6.99).
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Sources
- NFPA: Cooking safety nfpa.org
- FDA: Food allergies, what you need to know fda.gov
